Two Chefs and a Table announce October wine drinker dinner; Caffè Artigiano Barista Kyle Straw Wins Seventh Annual Canadian Barista Championships; Cru now open for lunch; Naughty or Nice at Opus Bar.
Two Chefs and a Table Announces October Wine Drinker Dinner
Food of the Wild West and Selections from the Fess Parker Winery
It’s fitting that in Halloween season, the Two Chefs and a Table October 28th Wine Drinker Dinner is going to be wearing a costume, specifically, buckskins and a coonskin hat. That’s because this five-course dinner being is going to focus on selections from Fess Parker Winery—Parker played frontier legends Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone during the 50s and 60s.
Along with being an iconic actor, Fess Parker is the proprietor of a 700-acre family winery in the old cowboy country of Santa Barbara. We’re proud to feature his wines for this event, carefully selected with help from local wine expert Michael Godin of Pacific Wine & Spirits.
The vintages from this award-winning California Winery will be combined with a menu that uses some of the classic game, meat and fish of the time and era of Daniel Boone. Along with catfish corn cakes, roasted Squab and Buffalo stew, the meal will also include inventive sides based on traditional frontier ingredients. We won’t be serving them on tin plates, though.
On October 28th, Two Chefs and a Table will serve five exceptional courses of Wild West food, the buckskin and the whiskey flask is up to you. The cost per person is $65 (excluding tax & tip) and reservations are recommended. To reserve your table or for more restaurant information, visit www.twochefsandatable.com or email info@twochefsandatable.com.
Fess Parker Wine Drinker Dinner Menu
First Course:
Catfish Corn Cakes: Fresh catfish, chilies, cornmeal, wild salad, tomatilla vinaigrette
Wine: Fess Parker Viognier 2007
Second Course:
Roasted Squab w/chestnut stuffing, wild mushroom, demi-glace
Wine: Fess Parker Pinot Noir 2005
Third Course:
Buffalo stew’n’biscuits: Long braised buffalo, pearl onions, carrots, & house made rosemary biscuit
Wine: Fess Parker Zinfandel 2005
Main Course:
Cowboy Tenderloin steak: Classic coffee, pepper, thyme and rosemary rub, cold smoked and grilled, seasonal root cellar vegetables
Wine: Lot 81 Frontier Red
Dessert:
Upside down Apple honey cake: Cast iron baked with a fresh mint cream
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Caffè Artigiano Stirs up a Storm
Barista Kyle Straw Wins Seventh Annual Canadian Barista Championships
Vancouver, BC…Caffè Artigiano’s Kyle Straw won the seventh annual Canadian Barista Championships held in Vancouver on October 15th, 2009 at the at the Canadian Coffee & Tea Show. Kyle is the General Manager of Caffè Artigiano’s Hornby Street location, who will go on to represent Canada at the next World Barista Championship in London in 2010. Kyle carries on the legacy of his Caffè Artigiano patriots who have won every Canadian title since the competition began in 2003. Sammy Piccolo is a four time Canadian Barista Champion, and an unprecedented four-time World Barista Finalist.
After 18 months of rigorous practice and extensive training, Kyle delivered a polished routine and represented Vancouver with confidence and great passion. “I was lucky to have amazing support with my training from Vince Piccolo, Todd Pollock, Sammy Piccolo and Willie Mounzer”. Says Kyle. “It was a great team effort that got me here, and to win first place by 41 points is an incredible feeling.”
Each competitor must prepare and serve 12 separate espresso beverages: 4 espresso, 4 cappuccinos, and 4 “signature” drinks of their own creation, and present them to a distinguished panel of judges. Competitors have only fifteen minutes to prepare all twelve drinks and are judged on station cleanliness, taste, beverage presentation, technical skills and overall judges impression. The panel especially loved Kyle’s signature drink, which drew inspiration from a Black Forest cake. Made with a winning combination of espresso from the Koke Cooperative in Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Madagascar; black cherry foam; whipped cream; and an espresso infused chocolate, Kyle’s signature drink wowed the judges with its great balance of flavours and elegant presentation.
About Caffè Artigiano
Caffè Artigiano opened in Vancouver, BC in December 1999 with the vision of an Italian-style coffee house and bistro that offered superior coffee, excellent food and a lively yet comfortable atmosphere. Today, Caffè Artigiano continues to shine as North America’s premiere coffee house. Taking great pride in the training and skills of its professional baristas, Artigiano is proud to be the home of several champion baristas who ensure that each cup of coffee served is poured to perfection. For more information please visit:
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CRU Now Open for Lunch
Vancouverites with a passion for good food will be pleased to hear that starting Tuesday, October 13 2009, CRU Restaurant will be open for lunch from 11:30am to 2:00pm Monday to Friday.
CRU will doubtless quickly become a mid-day hot spot, as it offers the winning combination of outstanding cuisine in a refined, yet relaxed atmosphere and a central location. It’s the ideal place to get together with friends, or to meet with business colleagues.
CRU’s lunch menu offers some of its favourite award-winning small plates along with new lunch dishes and variations of some dinner menu items. Drop by for the Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio, Mushroom Truffle Risotto or Crispy Duck Confit with warm bacon dressing, which is on Vancouver Magazine’s “Best Things to Eat and Drink in Vancouver” list. And don’t forget that CRU’s convenient by-the-glass wine menu is second to none!
CRU Restaurant
1459 West Broadway, Vancouver
Reservations are available by phone at 604-677-4111 or online at www.cru.ca.
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What: Come and Celebrate Halloween
OPUS Bar is hosting a naughty or nice Halloween party featuring by DJ Todd Lapp and special naughty or nice cocktails. Dress up to impress, the lucky guest with the best costume will win a Bed & Breakfast Package at the Opus Hotel (includes one night’s accommodation in a Deluxe Room, breakfast for two, and late check out). OPUS Bar will be transformed with a chic heaven and hell décor, tickets include one complimentary beverage.
When: Saturday, October 31st, 2009, 9pm – Late
Where: OPUS Bar – 350 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC
How: Tickets are $20 in advance, or $30 at the door. Pick up tickets at Elixir Bistro, or contact Jessica Dunn at jdunn@opushotel.com or 604.694.2137.
